Colorado Drivers Education

Colorado drivers ed courses offer training and qualified instruction to novice drivers of all ages. Drivers education courses are required for certain teen driver’s license applicants, but from others, professional training is optional. Driving lessons cover topics such as traffic safety and rules of the road. While these driving classes are classroom-based, behind the wheel training may be required in addition to traditional classes for teen drivers. Taking a driving course allows young drivers to gain experience, and associated training exposes them to road obstacles. To learn more about CO drivers ed, review the sections below.

Drivers Education in Colorado

Drivers ed courses provide supplemental instruction for drivers learning to how to operate a motor vehicle. Drivers may find a CO online driving course or classroom-based course that satisfies their needs. However, drivers must also study the driver manual prior to taking the written permit exam; drivers ed classes should not replace the driver handbook. The classes are meant to prepare inexperienced drivers for their permit and their eventual road test. Attending first time driving school is an important part of the learning process. During a teen driving course may be the first time in which an individual has gotten behind the wheel. However, parents and guardians are encouraged to take their children driving to provide them with as much training as possible. This type of support during the learning process is invaluable for young drivers.

Colorado drivers education courses are offered to learners in a number of a ways. Many choose to enroll in an online driving course because their schedules do not align with traditional courses, they prefer online learning methods or they do not have access to transportation. The amount of instruction required for each student will vary depending on the drivers’ ages, experience level and supplemental instruction (i.e., parental training). Drivers ed courses utilize driving techniques recommended by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and are taught by qualified driving trainers. New drivers must receive a combination of the following training:

Drivers ed course

Driver Awareness Program

Behind the wheel training

Note: Driving permit applicants taking drivers ed online should be aware that the behind-the-wheel training requirement can only be met in-person with a local certified driving instructor.

Drivers education courses and programs focus on teaching driving methods and skills and experts strongly suggest that students employ all of the training available to them. Parents and guardians may take advantage of the Parent’s Supervised Driving Program to better learn how to teach their teens safe driving. Graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws also exist to help protect teens from the dangers of driving while gradually allowing them gain full driving privileges.

Driver license applicants required to take drivers ed must complete at least 30 hours of classroom-based learning. These courses will cover the basics of driving. The Driver Awareness Program is a driver safety course that is held for four hours. This driving safety course is also a classroom-based learning environment, but the topics of discussion include safe driving practices and driver responsibility. Additionally, the Driver Awareness Program incorporates sections on the dangers of reckless driving and peer pressure. Finally, behind the wheel training is a six-hour course adopted to give students driving experience. Drivers enrolled in this type of drivers education course will get the opportunity to drive on public roads in real driving conditions.

Completion of a teen driving course is mandatory for new drivers license applicants in a specific age range. For instance, a basic drivers ed course is required for teen drivers between the ages of 15 years and 15 years and six months of age. These applicants must present a certificate indicating they have completed at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and passed the final written exam for the course.

Teen drivers between the ages of 15 years and six months and 16 years of age may choose either the 30-hour drivers ed course or the four-hour Driver Awareness Program class to satisfy instruction permit requirements. If teen drivers are between the ages of 16 and 17 years, then no drivers education courses are required. However, participation in training is always recommended. Adults 18 years old or older are also not required to take driving lessons to receive their driving permits.

For teen drivers younger than 16 years and six months at the time of applying, six hours of behind the wheel training is mandatory. According to state driving law, if drivers live more than 30 miles from a certified driving school, then an extra 12 hours of drive time with a licensed adult may replace professional behind-the-wheel training.

How to Enroll in Colorado Drivers Ed

New drivers may enroll in CO drivers ed classes by contacting a certified school online or locally. A list of acceptable drivers education courses is kept by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. Since driving permits only last for three years, drivers must ensure they allot enough time to receive their licenses before they expire.

Reasons to Enroll in Colorado Drivers Ed

Teen driving school training seeks to reduce the number of traffic accidents due to reckless or inexperienced drivers and educate teens on the importance of safe driving. A teen driving course also teaches drivers how to navigate road obstacles, how to recognize traffic signs and follow traffic laws and how to pass their license exams.

Most teens enroll in drivers education classes to satisfy the requirements for a driving permit. Driving safety courses are required by state law before minor drivers younger than 16 years of age may receive a permit for driving.

While first time driving school providers charge an enrollment fee, it is worth the investment as formal driving courses from certified instructors can give young drivers more in-depth instruction than what parents and guardians usually can.